Blue Grass Metals Expanding in Northern Kentucky

FRANKFORT, Ky. (March 2, 2018) – Gov. Matt Bevin today announced Blue Grass Metals Inc., a supplier of wire forms to the automotive industry, will expand its operation in Boone County with the creation of 15 jobs via a more than $4 million investment.

“For years, Blue Grass Metals has been a strong corporate partner in Northern Kentucky, and its latest investment will help bolster our state's already thriving automotive industry,” Gov. Bevin said. “We are grateful for this latest example of a Kentucky company making a long-term decision that will diversify its products within the marketplace. We commend Blue Grass Metals’ foresight, as they continue to forge a lasting legacy of excellence.”

Blue Grass Metals has been in operation for over 25 years, initially serving the pneumatic tool industry and supplying the automotive industry since 1998. The construction of an adjacent 50,000-square-foot facility in Boone County and the purchase of new equipment will add manufacturing capability to produce wire forms for seat frames, exhaust brackets, frame components, stamping and tube fabrication.

“Ever since becoming an employee-owned company back in 2013, we have been investigating ways to improve our competitive advantage and increase market share,” said Dale Badger, president of Blue Grass Metals. “We believe that expansion here in Northern Kentucky will provide strategic opportunities to expand not only our customer base but our product offering as well.”

Blue Grass Metals, based near Independence, got its start in 1990 with a 2,000-square-foot facility that employed five people and provided precision wire forms to customers in the pneumatic tool industry serving the housing market. The company has since grown and currently operates in an 80,000-square-foot facility with a broad customer base ranging from small shops to Fortune 500 companies. The company currently employs 62 people in Northern Kentucky.

Sen. John Schickel, of Union, said the Northern Kentucky region continues to create economic success.

“Blue Grass Metals is a fantastic addition to Boone County and the 11th Senatorial District of Kentucky,” Sen. Schickel said. “I want to congratulate Blue Grass Metals and applaud the effort of state and local officials to grow industries in our own back yard. Our community continues to shine in regard to economic development.”

Rep. Sal Santoro, of Florence, noted the impact the expansion could have on the local auto industry.

“Kentucky is a global leader in the auto industry, and will continue to be with investments like this from Blue Grass Metals,” Rep. Santoro said. “Along with securing our place in the auto industry comes jobs growth for Kentucky workers. I commend everybody involved in securing this new growth.”

Boone County Judge-Executive Gary Moore said Blue Grass Metals has been a dependable employer in the region for years.

“I congratulate Blue Grass Metals on another expansion of their Boone County facilities,” Judge-Executive Moore said. “We are proud to offer a business climate that has allowed this company to grow their business and offer quality employment in Northern Kentucky for more than two decades.”

Kentucky County Judge-Executive and Northern Kentucky Tri-ED Board Chair Kris Knochelmann acknowledged the company’s presence within the local auto industry.

“Northern Kentucky continues to have a very competitive automotive industry cluster, in large part because of highly specialized suppliers like Blue Grass Metals that can efficiently serve automotive markets in our region,” Judge-Executive Knochelmann said. “We look forward to their continued growth and success following this expansion.”

To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $200,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.

In addition, Blue Grass Metals can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. In fiscal 2017, the Kentucky Skills Network provided training for more than 120,000 Kentuckians and 5,700 companies from a variety of industry sectors.

The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is the primary state agency responsible for encouraging new jobs and investment in the state. New capital investment announced in Kentucky in 2017 totaled a state record $9.2 billion, spurring more than 17,200 projected new jobs. Information on available industrial properties, workforce development assistance, incentive programs, community profiles, small business development and other economic development resources is available at www.ThinkKentucky.com.